The weapons list for both aircraft is skewed toward ground attack missions. Were a war to erupt on the Korean peninsula, North Korea's obsolete air force would be quickly destroyed. Pyongyang, however, has up to 1,000 artillery pieces in hardened sites within range of Seoul. Neutralising this threat would be a key mission of the South Korean air force in the early days of a war.

In late March, the Department of Defense notified the US Congress of the potential F-15SE and F-35 sale to Seoul. The F-35 is being offered under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) package and will cost $10.8 billion. Boeing is offering a hybrid package comprising an FMS deal worth $2.41 billion and a commercial sale worth an undisclosed amount.